Sunday, May 13, 2012

Today I got the very best Mother's Day gifts. And I know today isn't about the presents, and I wasn't expecting any, to tell the truth. But it turned out to be my favorite mothers day yet.

Colten had burst into the kitchen just a couple days ago shouting "Momma we DIDN'T get you a card." So i concluded that meant he DID get me card. But he mentioned nothing else, so I figured Chris had stopped on the way home and picked up a card from Walgreens or somewhere for me from the kids.

Well, Chris and Colten had fooled me. They went on Friday to get haircuts, but they also got me my Mother's Day gifts. Flowers and a Spa gift card. And those ROCK! But they didn't come close to being my favorite. My favorite were the 2 hand-made cards my little ones (and Daddy) made for me. I was completely surprised. Every mom gets home-made cards from their kids. But I have never gotten one. Colten and Allie are just 3 and 2. They are too little to make these things on their own. They have made cards before, lots. But always with MY help. For Daddy on Father's Day. For Gigi on her birthday. For Nana and Papa or Ga and Pa for Grandparent's Day, for friend's on Valentines Day. So, I never imagined I would get a home made card. It touched my heart. And these weren't some quick easy, scribbles on computer paper either. Chris had helped the kids cut out heart and butterflies and glued them to the front. Then on the inside had asked the kids what they wanted to tell me on Mother's Day. Here is what they said:

Allie's:

To: The Prettiest Mommy Ever

"Thank you for my turtle. You are soooo pretty." Love Allie

Colten's:

To: The Best Mommy in The World

"I love you sooooo much. You are the best mommy ever." Love, Coco

When the kids ran up to me today with their home-made cards I immediately started crying. Then I read them and cried more. I was just so happy that I am one of those Mom's who gets home-made cards filled with words of love from her children. And I was so impressed with Chris. Because he put the time and effort into helping the kids make them for me. I love that man. And I love those kids. Glad I can call all 3 of them mine <3

Monday, May 7, 2012

The other day on a car ride Colten told me that when he got big, he was going to have a horse. And he was going to get to ride it. This led to a conversation about the horse I had growing up, Bay Berry. I used to ride him, and GrandBob would make me mow the grass and we would bag it up and feed it to my horse. Colten listened to me talk about my horse and asked a few questions, but never really said any more about it.

Then a couple days ago he told me "Hey Momma, ya know my horse, Cherry-Berry?" And I giggled thinking he was talking about my old horse and had just got the name mixed up. So I said, "You mean Bay berry? Momma's horse?"
He quickly set me straight. "No BAY BERRY is yo horse. And CHEERY BERRY is MY horse. My horse is fast and yo horse is slow." And for the past week or so Colten has been going on and on about his horse, Cherry Berry. Its really cute to listen to him talk about "his" horse and I've learned quite a lot about this imaginary animal. Here are the known facts about Cherry Berry.

- He lives in the field across from our house. We can't see him because he hides in the bushes. But Colten will sometimes shout when we are playing outside "Ohhhh I see his tail!!" Colten told me that I will get to meet Cherry Berry when its winter time.

-Some days Cherry Berry is a girl horse. Other days Cherry Berry is a boy horse. Most days, he's a boy.

- Cherry Berry does NOT like bossy voices. Sometimes Allie will go to the fence and holler "Cherwee Berwee!!!" And Colten will tell her "He doesn't like bossy voices so he can't hear you." hahaha

-Cherry Berry looks brown but he has green and purple spots on him. Colten says he looks like he's been painted.

-He is a good horse who likes to eat grass, hay and leaves. And at night time he sleeps at the farm.

-One time when Colten was a little boy, he got to ride Cherry Berry. But he doesn't get to ride him now. But says he will ride him again very soon.

-Cherry Berry's best friend is NOT the neighbors. Colten says he thinks his best friend is another horse, but he can't remember its name.

-Cherry Berry is fast. "weally, weally, fast." And he like good voices, birds and new friends.

-One time I asked Colten where Cherry Berry came from. And his response was the only true thing I believe about this whole story.... Colten told me "God made him. He really did."

Ahhh the sweet imagination of a 3 year old boy. Someone needs to talk to GrandBob about getting this boy a real horse!!

Monday, April 23, 2012

My kids are at such a fun age. Rambunctious, wild, energetic, independent, drive-momma-crazy age. But a fun age nonetheless!! They love games, and being entertained. So this evening after dinner, I had an idea. "Lets get out the sprinkler!" I told them. Ohhh they were excited! These kids love water. So, we pulled out the swimsuits for our first sprinkler fun of the year. But, I had a different idea. What if I put the sprinkler under the trampoline and made it like a splash pad?? IT WAS A BLAST. Just look below at their faces. They jumped for about 30 minutes in complete happiness. Which gave me just enough time to clean the kitchen up from dinner :)

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

This day has gotten really fun since I've had kids. Its less about "Ooohhhh I hope Chris remembers and buys me something pretty!" And more about surprising the kids and making the day special as a family. (side note: I still like pretty things.)

Chris had SWAT practice so it was just the kids and I for most of the day. The day started off with breakfast. Heart pancakes, with frosting writing and syrup. Mmmm SUGAR! Then I gave the kids their gifts. They sat on the couch and closed their eyes "No peeking!" I said as I went to get their Valentines buckets of goodies. They loved their buckets, and more so the candy that was inside. Not as much the coloring book and sippy cup but DEFINIELY the candy! From 8-10am I let them go nuts. They ate and ate and ate candy. 10 was the cut off. It. Was. NOT. Pretty. 1st meltdown of the day. After their lunch they got to pick one more candy to have. "But that's it." 2nd meltdown of the day. Also, I tried to explain Vday to Colten, telling him that it was a day to tell your very favorite friend how much you love them. I then showed him a present I had got for him to give to some one. "Who is your favorite friend?" I asked him (I already knew who the answer was going to be and bought the gift with this sweet little girl in mind.) Kay-Kay!! I want to give Kay-Kay a present!! So we got in the car and drove to her house to leave his little gift he got her on the front door step as a surprise for her. Trying to train the kid. His future wife will thank me one day.

When Daddy came home he surprised all of us with gifts!! Colten got a big pack of gummy worms and Allison got the same gummies plus a single rose and I got a dozen roses, plus balloon and card. That made me tear up --- Chris also gave Allie a single rose and me a dozen roses on the day she was born, and it reminded me of that day <3 He also brought home steaks to grill, and is currently outside with the kiddos building a fire to grill them and some veggies!! And Im supposed to be working on a Chocolate Molten cake for dessert! Mmmm!!! Better get to it ;)

Breakfast

No peeking!!!

Only boy who has ever gotten her flowers

Leaving his "Valentine" a surprise

Colten's Valentines Day photo shoot with momm

Allie's photo shoot with Momma

Did anyone notice that Allie is wearing 3 different Valentines Day outfits? All from today! LOL

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Recently I saw on Facebook where a friend had interviewed her daughter. I thought it was such a cute idea! So I came up with some questions to ask my kiddos. I interviewed Allie first and then Colten. I will post Colten's interview later. But here is Allies.

What is your name?

A baby! a yayayoopsy baby!

Your name isn't lalaloopsy, silly. What is your name?

Aa-Aa!!

How old are you?

I one! Co-co three.

Who made you?

God and Daddy

What is your favorite toy?

A baby!!

What do you like to eat?

Snackies.

What makes you happy?

umm dat (points at computer) and my gun! and my baby happy!

What makes you sad?

Ohhh… (makes a sad face) Im bad.

Where do you like to go with Mommy?

To da store

Where do you like to go with Daddy?

ummm… ummm.. umm.. daddy!

Who is your friend?

ummm my baby! A yayayoopsy!

Who loves you so much?

Mommy, yuv too much!

Who do you love?

umm baby!

And here is a pic I snapped after our interview. She was in her pjs and getting ready for bed.

Saturday, January 21, 2012

"Mommy, I gonna give you this money because you were a GOOD mommy today!!"

I giggled and replied "Wow! I get money for being a good mommy?" Thats pretty awesome I told him. And then the thought occurred to me, "Wait, why is the first time in the 3 years of being his mommy that I have been paid?" I guess this was the first day I was "good" enough in my 3 year old's eyes to deserve money ;)

But seriously, in all other jobs in life when you have done your job well you get paid. There is a paycheck waiting for you for all your hard work. Or if you've really exceeded at your job there are promotions given. This isn't exactly the case with motherhood. In fact, I joke with Chris, that the only promotion I would be eligible for would be to go from a 'Mother of Two' to the 'Mother of Three' department... And Im not quite ready for that yet!!

And unlike the "paid" 9-5 jobs, motherhood doesn't stop. I don't get sick time, vacation time or really even the chance to "clock out" and be done for the day! Its a never-ending job that can sometimes seem so overwhelming I almost consider giving up being a Stay-Home-Mom and go and get myself a "real job."

BUUUT... then Im reminded what a blessing it is to be a Mother. I may not get paid in cash for a job well done but I get paid in ways so much more fulfilling.

I get paid in kisses. They come first thing in the morning. Immediately when my two little ones open their eyes, I get rewarded with a kiss. I haven't even done anything yet! No breakfast has been made, no sippy cups filled with juice but nevertheless, Im rewarded with a kiss. They come in slobbery, sticky pecks of love and I never ever turn them down. (Although I do sometimes have to wipe my mouth off afterwards)

I get paid in cuddles. I can get this sort of payment during any time of the day I want. It only takes me walking over to the bookshelf in Colten's room and pulling out 'Goodnight Moon'. And just like that, there is a toddler in my lap and another toddler snuggling up next to my side. Squealing "Read it to me! Read it to me!" And then snuggled up together on the floor, or bed, or couch we read through the book and search for the mouse. Thats 5 full minutes of snuggles I wouldn't trade for a $5,000 bonus.

I get paid in grins. Do you know how easy it is to make a kid smile? Tickle them. Hug them. Put on Dora the Explorer. Open up a package of gummies. Let them have a juice box. Surprise them with a new coloring book. Jump with them on the trampoline. Blow bubbles. Play Hide & Seek. Dance. Sing to them. Day in and day out these kids give me a grin, and their little grins go straight to my heart.

I get paid in "I did it Mommy!"s My kids are still so young, they are learning new things everyday. And Im HERE watching them learn them. Whether its teaching Colten to count and draw his shapes or watching Allie learn to take off her socks and shoes by herself, the everyday things that seem so simple are huge accomplishments to a 1 and 3 yr old and I get to hear them happily exclaim "I DID IT!"

I get paid in "Art." Sure it may not be a museum quality Picasso, but who wants one of those??? I'd much rather take a scribbled on Mickey Mouse ClubHouse coloring sheet and the words "Mommy, I made dis for you!!" I'll pin that up on my fridge over some gallery awarded painting any day.

I get paid in "I love you"s. Oh, those 3 little words. They can completely turn my day around. Its gets crazy around here. We live in a small house, over run by toys. The laundry multiplies by itself and the dishes don't like living in their cabinets and would prefer to stay dirty on the countertops. Some times I feel like I can't catch-up. Sometimes I feel like Im failing at the house work, or the parenting, or being a wife. But those 3 words, "I love you." from the mouth of a sweet, tender-hearted 3 year old boy, or "I yuuuv you." from the mouth of a precious little 1 year old angel, completely fuel my fire and keep me going.

So, I may not get a check in the bank every month, and I definitely don't get a handful of change on the days Ive been a "good" mommy, but I get so much more. There are those days when my child does something amazing. Something kind. Something that shows a giving spirit. Or a forgiving heart. And on those days I get the satisfaction of thinking to my self, "Wow, I must be doing something right!!" And I know that without a doubt, I have already been given the biggest gift of all. THEM. My two children. Placed in my home by no other than God, to love and care for. What an amazing blessing He gave me in Colten and Allie. And they are well worth the "work" and the payout exceeds any salary I know of.

Monday, January 9, 2012

Chris and I have made it a point for 2012 to have a date night once a month. This date night is just about us two. The kids know about date night and always want to go. So Chris had a great idea that we should do a Family date night. He mentioned this to me one evening when he was working an extra job and I mentioned it to Colten before bed that night and he was sooo excited! The fact that we were calling it "Date Night" made Colten giddy over the idea. He wouldn't have cared what we did or where we went. We mentioned some ideas Park, Zoo, Dinner, then I came up with bowling. Colten squealed when I asked him if thats what he wanted to do. The funny thing is, I don't think he even really knew what it was, because on the way there he kept asking so many questions about it. "Where is da bow-wing place?" "What is bow-wing?" "What do a pin do?" But he was certain of one thing "I going to be da WINNER!!"

The kids had a blast! And so did Chris and I, watching them get so excited and squeal as their ball went rolling down the lane. The bowling alley has this cool ramp thing. So even if the child is too little to carry and throw their own ball they can place it on top of the ramp and push it down. This is how the kids both started off bowling, but Colten soon proved that he could throw his own ball. So he'd carry his 6lb, orange bowling ball down to the lane and chunk it down the lane. And I mean chunk it. Not gently roll it, but more of a "throw as hard as I can" chunk it. It would make a loud thud and slowly roll down the lane. It was so cute. And he would squeal and clap for himself. He absolutely LOVED it! Allie had a blast too. But her favorite part was getting her own Coke to drink, Oh and the skittles too. Cant forget her skittles!!

Sure do love these little stinkers ;)

Mmmm!! COKE!

Daddy and Allie

This is the ramp that Allie had to use. Colten used it at first but soon figured out he could throw the ball!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

I did yard work today. Yep, I went to the shed and found the rake, brought the kiddos outside and we raked up all the leaves into a huge pile. Which was the perfect size for jumping in. Which, of course, was the whole point of the "work" I had just done :)

Its funny how something as simple as a pile of leaves can entertain 2 toddlers for over an hour. They ran and laughed and jumped and rolled. I of course joined in too. It was a wonderful afternoon spent playing in the front yard with my kiddos.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Christmas was amazing. Its always so hard to figure out how to go and see everyone and do all the family gatherings that occur for Christmas. So, Chris and I decided to have our own little family Christmas morning a day early - On Christmas Eve morning. I explained to the kids that I had written Santa and asked him to come early, and since the kids have been so good this year and my sugar cookies are THAT yummy, Santa agreed to come early ;) Then we did Christmas Eve night at my Aunt Judy's and then Christmas morning at my parents house and then Christmas lunch with Chris' family! BUSY but so so fun! Here is how our Christmas went in pictures.....

What we woke up to Christmas EVE morning. Looks like Santa came!! Kids first words were "ohhhh!"

Looks like Santa can be a bit demanding.....

Coltens words when he pulled out his very own chapstick "Ohhh!! I always wanted one of these!"

The kids loved their stockings. Once Allie discovered there were lollipops in there, she was done for the morning! We practically had to force the girl to open presents! All she wanted was her "CAAANNNDYYY!" Chris and I had to cut her off after lollipop #13... seriously....

Checking out her really cool playhouse Gigi and Nana got her.

Loving on her new doll!

haha fixing to have to help Colten rip off the tag, look at his tongue!

Love his excited expression!

I love Allie's Lalaloopsy dolls! They are too cute!

Just trying to get a Daddy and Colten picture and I get shot at ;)

Santa brought Allie a pink pony!!!

Family pic under our tree. <3 It was such a great morning.

Christmas Eve! Allie with Gigi!

Christmas Eve, Me and my cousin Kate. Before the annual card game of "Spoons" takes place. Which we play with forks, because we are dangerous like that.... I had battle wounds.

Christmas morning at my parents!! GrandBob and Gigi had lots of presents for the kiddos (and me!)

5 years ago on that same day he got down on one knee and proposed in that EXACT same spot. And on that day too, I was also in my pjs. So glad I said "Yes!" It was the easiest and greatest decision of my life, look where's it gotten me <3

And dancing Christmas night away in Quihi, TX! (With some very special friends!)

About Me

So, I titled my blog "Counting My Blessings One by One" because God has blessed me so much in my life. And if I were to really sit down and start counting.... Well it would reach a high number!! But I know for sure my first 3 on the list - Chris, Colten & Allie. Chris is my number one. He's my best friend and has been since I was 15. I always knew I was going to marry him and I'm so glad it was part of Gods plan!! Then comes Colten and Allie. Everyday they do something that, in lack of a better word, amazes me! And I want to remember every cute, funny, precious thing they do. So I plan on writing them down in "here" and one day, maybe the kiddos will get to read it. Or Chris and I will look back one day and remember a wonderful memory. Anyways, that's the plan! We will see how it goes....